About Us

The Biomedical Science Careers Program, Inc. provides students of every race, ethnic background, gender and financial status with encouragement, support and guidance needed for the successful pursuit of biomedical science and other science-related careers. We believe that the individual potential of each student should not be lost or ignored. This concept is captured in the word HOPE:

Horizons: Expanding the academic and career horizons of students, particularly students of color, will enable our community and nation to meet the future needs of business, scientific and academic organizations.

Opportunity: The development of a diversified, well-balanced workforce requires the linking of educational training and mentoring for students with employment opportunities in science, academia, business and government.

Potential: Supporting the academic capability, desire to succeed and willingness to persevere of minority and disadvantaged youth will ensure that untapped human potential in our community is not lost.

Excellence: The social and economic future of our country rests on our ability to engage all sectors of our society, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, disability or class in pursuit of excellence.

Objectives

The primary objectives of the Biomedical Science Careers Program (BSCP) are:

Identify, inform, support and provide mentoring for academically outstanding students, particularly African-American, Hispanic/Latino and American Indian/Alaska Native students. The participants range from High school to postdoctoral level.

Disseminate information on programs in biomedical sciences available to students, particularly minority students.

Provide a forum for the exchange of information among individuals at various stages in their academic development.

Highlight the need for and use of mentors/advisors in making career decisions.

Improve communication among physicians/scientists and students at varying stages in their career development.

BSCP positions itself strategically to meet the demand for a diverse workforce by providing its member organizations with connections to qualified, diverse students who can become valued employees in the future.

Initiatives

Biennial Biomedical Science Careers Student Conference

This conference is designed to address the need for student mentoring, guidance, support and career development. The biennial conference provides the students (high school to postdoctoral level) with an opportunity to network with advisors and role models from the basic and clinical sciences, medicine, public health, academic administration and the private sector. These advisors/role models encourage the students to complete advanced studies and give them concrete advice and information on available resources, professional opportunities and career paths. This conference also enables the student participants to meet, inspire and network with one another.

New England Science Symposium

A symposium for postdoctoral fellows; medical, dental, and graduate students; post-baccalaureates; and college and community college students to present their research projects through oral and poster presentations.

Skills Workshops Program

This program provides high school and college students with information and guidance in areas such as application process for college and medical/graduate/professional schools, interviewing skills, financial planning, resume writing and internship opportunities.

Career Development Series Conferences

These conferences provide networking opportunities, skills enhancement and tools for career advancement to physicians in postdoctoral training, junior faculty and fellows. They are co-sponsored by the Biomedical Science Careers Program, the Massachusetts Medical Society, Harvard Medical School Office for Diversity and Community Partnership (Minority Faculty Development Program and the Commonwealth Fund/Harvard University Fellowship in Minority Health Policy), Harvard Catalyst Program for Faculty Development and Diversity, Tufts University School of Medicine Office of Minority and Student Affairs, University of Massachusetts Medical School Office of the Vice Provost for School Services, and the Boston University School of Medicine Office of Minority Affairs.

Expanding Horizons

These seminars and conferences focus on emerging and expanding areas of employment related to the biomedical sciences. Topics include areas such as business and management, public health and environmental sciences.

Explorations

This program, designed for middle school students, exposes them to research laboratories, science career paths and discussions about the importance of academic preparation.

In Touch With BSCP

A newsletter focusing on mentoring, financial and career opportunities is distributed throughout New England to students, student advisors, teachers, guidance counselors, administrators and community organizers.

New England Resource Directory

This resource directory provides information to students, advisors and administrators on outreach efforts, internships and science-related programs at New England institutions, hospitals, biomedical and biotechnology organizations.

BSCP Linkage Program

A program that connects BSCP students in need of advice and/or assistance with BSCP Hope Scholarship recipients.

HOPE Scholarships

Through annual corporate and foundation sponsorships, BSCP awards scholarships of $7,500 to BSCP high school, community college, college, medical and graduate students who are active in BSCP programs.

BSCP Alumni Council

History

The Biomedical Science Careers Program (BSCP), founded in 1991, was incorporated as a not-for-profit organization in 1994. BSCP’s first student conference took place in March 1992 and was attended by 300 high school, college, medical and graduate minority students. Since its inception, more than 13,000 minority students and 1,200 underrepresented postdoctoral trainees and junior faculty members have participated in BSCP programs. The founding sponsors of the Biomedical Science Careers Program are the Harvard Medical School Minority Faculty Development Program, the New England Board of Higher Education and the Massachusetts Medical Society.

BSCP’s principal objectives are to identify, inform, support and provide mentoring for academically outstanding students, particularly African-American, Hispanic/ Latino and American Indian/Alaska Native students. These students range from high school to postdoctoral level.

The overall aim of all BSCP activities is to increase the representation of underrepresented minorities in the biomedical and other science-related fields while helping health care institutions, biotechnology firms, educational institutions, professional organizations and private industry members meet their need for a diverse workforce.